Hebrew Brothers target Phoenix

The Hebrew Brothers, a Coshocton dance troupe, hope to dance their way to national competition in Phoenix, Ariz., this summer. From lower left, clockwise, are Trustin Hernandez, Judah Stewart, Josh Deeds and Marcus Carroll.(Photo: Joe Williams/Tribune)Buy Photo

COSHOCTON - Three of four Hebrew Brothers have made the leap from the track to the stage, and all four hope to take their show on the road, all the way to Phoenix.

Coshocton High School students Marcus Carroll, Judah Stewart, Trustin Hernandez and Josh Deeds won in the Interpretive Dance category this month at the Ohio District Teen Talent Expo in Carey. That win qualifies them for the national competition, sponsored by Impact Pentecostal Church of God Student Ministries, starting June 21 in Phoenix, according to Patricia Carroll, of Coshocton.

To get there, the team is trying to raise $4,300 to cover entry fees, airfare, food and lodging for a week. Carroll has established The Hebrew Brothers Expense Fund to accept donations online through GoFundMe.

Marcus Carroll, 17, a senior; Stewart, 16, a sophomore; and Hernandez, 15, a freshman, all run on the CHS track team. Carroll and Hernandez hope to continue running track in college. Stewart wants to play college football.

The remaining Hebrew Brother, Deeds, 16, is a Coshocton High School junior, attending the Coshocton County Career Center to study criminal justice.

Marcus Carroll is Patricia's son. The other young men are her foster children.

The dance team formed three months ago. None of the members have formal dance training. Youth Pastor Ben Treat at New Life Ministries in Coshocton asked Marcus to participate last year, Patricia Carroll said, but he "hemmed and hawed about it" until the other boys agreed to join in this year. Doris Granger, wife of NLM Pastor Mark Granger, came up with the troupe's name.

The Carrolls put together the choreography to accompany Gospel singer Kirk Franklin's "123 Victory." Rehearsals began in the family's living room.

"At first, it started like once or twice a week," Marcus said. "Then, when it got closer to the competition, it was like every day."

Rehearsal could stretch up to four hours a day, Patricia Carroll said.

Running track helped prepare the team for the physical demands of dance, Marcus said.

"It definitely keeps us in shape," he said, "because when we practice, sometimes, we do it over and over and over. It keeps us in shape."

Their hip-hop routine lasts nearly three minutes. They will use the same lineup, song and choreography in Phoenix.

The troupe earned an encore while competing in Carey. Thirty-five acts performed during the daylong competition at Carey High School.

Viewers told the dancers they were the only group who looked like they were having fun, Marcus said.

Performers from every state will compete in Phoenix, but the Hebrew Brothers say they feel pretty confident about their chances.

Until then, the troupe plans to practice and perform locally.

"We are willing to go and do the dance for whatever church would like to help us," Patricia Carroll said.